I've been a Trustee for a 501(c)3 charity for 10 years, have studied 100s of Form 990s for dozens of charities, including Pacific Institute I've heard Peter Gleick speak and followed his work, which earned him membership in the National Academy of Sciences. Pacific Institute is a well-run, especially-transparent charity that does what it says it does and does very useful things. On the other hand, the January 13 appearance of bjwallace2 might have something to do with a January 12 attack on Gleick by James M. Taylor, featured on the first page: "Global warming alarmist Peter Gleick picked a fight with Heartland at Forbes.com. Our James M. Taylor bloodies Gleick's nose with his rebuttal column at the same publication." That's http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2012/01/12/please-global-warming-alarmists-stop-denying-climate-change-and-science/ Taylor trained as a lawyer, not a scientist. Heartland has been funded by tobacco and petroleum companies and especially conservative family foundations, none of whom are keen about funding transparency.

I am always dismayed when credible and transparent organizations are assaulted with baseless charges by anonymous posters who disagree with the work done by the Pacific Institute. It is my experience that commenters like the one who challenged the Institute on its transparency and leveled defamatory claims, are simply substituting ideology for knowledge. Knowledge, in this particular case, available on the very website he or she disparaged. Critics who defame with no facts or evidence are merely frightened that science will force them to recant long-held beliefs. Changing their minds may not be possible. To concurrent studies had concluded that some people are so ignorant that they don't know they are ignorant.

The Pacific Institute brings solid science and rigorous research methods to matters related to the human use of water. Their research covering impacts on local communities ranges from the US to communities in places like Indonesia. At the other end of the spectrum, they are involved in helping some of the world's largest multinationals to become better stewards of water resources. I have been a board member for many years, and I am continually impressed by the innovative approaches the Institute takes to these cruicially important issues. But they are not just detached researchers. To the person, the staff wants to make the world a better place, and they work tirelessly to support change in the right direction.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I've personally experienced the results of this organization by reading their research reports and by understanding how their research is being used by policy makers and community activists.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

The Institute has grown in the last couple of years and needs to rethink its administrative support functions. This issue is being actively addessed by both the staff and the board.

As an impacted resident of West Oakland, Pacific Institute as been in the front of many "think tank institute" which has reach out to all sort of people to train and education the power of research and data collection. Water issues have been a the PI primary work, this organization has supported the underserved people with information and knowledge base more so that local, state and federal government to positive change most needy communities. Thank you Pacific Institute.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My experiences having engaged with Pacific Institute gave a pathway to become a leader and forward my experiences on to others.

I have been formally affiliated with the Pacific Institute for three years but aware of its outstanding contribution to understanding global water issues and the challenge of fostering a sustainable and equitable planet for well over a decade. The core strength of the Institute is its capacity to do innovative research in the context of human values--serving all humanity. The work has policy and community impact --achieving all three (research, policy, community impact) at the highest standard.

The organization is well run, collaborative, fiscally conservative and responsible, and creative in program design and goals.

The Pacific Institute is a model for non-profit research organizations desiring to make an impact.

Joan Diamond

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

As an executive in another environmental research institute in California and as a Board member.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Clone it--the world needs more of what it offers.

More feedback...

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

I collaborated with the Pacific Institute (PI) for ten years as a senior governmental environmental official in California. PI was one of the first credible voices supporting multi-issue sustainability thinking. They continue to support these ideas through local and international programs. Now as a Board member I have come to appreciate an incredibly talented staff and an inspired leader in Peter Gleick. In a time populated with anti-science and anti-knowledge voices, the work of PI has become even more valuable

Pacific institute is a great resource tool for my sustainability class because it provided me with inifnite amount of information on the conservation of water use in businesses practices and personal use. I've read many of the articles posted on the website and have cited many of the excerpts from multiple publications in my report. The publications were very well-detailed and concise, giving the readers a sense of urgency to demand change in the way we use water. I would definitely recommend this website to anyone who wants to know more about water conservation and how it can change our lives for the better.

The Pacific Institute is one of the most well-known and respected sources of environment and sustainable development research and policy analysis. Pacific Institutes' legislative role is absolutely vital as a non-biased source to inform the public and the private sector of their impact on the environment. With many needed changes in the world, Pacific Institute is created SPECIFICALLY to help find SOLUTIONS for environmental injustices, especially when the affected communities' (such as the Central Californians affected by the nitrate contamination in their drinking water) voices aren't being heard. THANK YOU Pacific Institute.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

becoming informed about environmental injustices such as the nitrate contamination in the San Joaquin Valley, and taking own strides to reduce personal water use and to inform others of these issues.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

increase federal funding so PI will be able to maintain unbiased, reliable reports without having to rely on private funding.